Not many of us were prepared to suddenly start working from home. But how hard can it be, right? Well, as most of us have realised, there are a number of challenges involved when we are working from home that we haven’t even considered.
If you’re one of the many people who have started working remotely more often during the recent global pandemic and resulting restrictions of movement, you may have noticed that you might be experiencing headaches, stiff or sore legs, back and neck, and difficulty concentrating more often than regular. The stress caused by the events of the past couple of months certainly play a role, but these symptoms can all also be related to your chair.
That’s right, your chair could be causing additional stress on your muscles, which can lead to the above symptoms, and further result in excessive fatigue. This is why most organisations invest so heavily in ergonomic office chairs. These are specifically designed to support your body in numerous ways to make your workday more comfortable and productive.
So, how do you go about choosing the ideal ergonomic office chair to provide you with the support you need? It’s important that you select a chair that specifically meets your unique needs, rather than the chair that might seem the fanciest. Here are some prominent features that you should look out for when choosing an ergonomic office chair:
Before you even start looking at the ergonomics of a chair, make sure you are looking at the right type of chair for the work you’ll be doing. Not all office chairs are intended for the same purposes. A standard ergonomic chair might be the most obvious choice, but also look at draughtsman chairs for higher desks (often popular for drawing and designing), or typist/operator chairs, if relevant.
This is an important factor, as your office chair and desk should work in harmony to create a comfortable and supportive workspace for you. Ideally, your feet should rest squarely on the floor, while your knees are at a 90-degree angle. In this position, you should be able to comfortably fit your legs under the desk, while your arms should reach your keyboard on top of the desk without strain.
You need to fit comfortably on the seat of the chair. This might influence whether you want a seat with armrests that provide support, or whether you prefer the freedom of a chair without the restrictions of armrests.
Proper lumbar support is essential for your wellbeing. This is usually in the form of a curve towards the lower end of the backrest that is meant to support your back as you sit in the chair. Often, this is best judged by physically sitting in the chair to see how it supports you.
Instead of looking for a chair that is rigid in design and trying to find one that suits you to a tee, look for one that offers adjustable features that can be set to match your needs. This includes chair height, seat and backrest angles, and armrest heights.
We often spend extended periods of time in our office chairs. Make sure the seat is padded enough for your comfort using a high-quality foam that will retain its integrity.
Be careful of non-breathable fabrics such as leather or nylon, as this might cause sweating, which could be uncomfortable.
The ability to swivel and the wheels on an ergonomic office chair are more important than many realise. These small movements support you as you work on your desk, allowing you to easily reach various items on your desk or in your office with minimum strain.
Whether you need to replace your chair at the office or invest in a new ergonomic office chair for your home office, Quantum Office Furniture has a wide range of options and is bound to have the ideal one for you. Feel free to contact us if you need help choosing your ideal ergonomic office chair.